The Skin Integument System

NOTES IN BIOLOGY
Prepared by: N.R. Bautista
THE SKIN or INTEGUMENT SYSTEM

Structure of the Skin. The skin has 3 distinct regions. The (1) epidermis is an external layers composed of dead keratinized cells. Underneath this is the (2) dermis, which is mostly dense, actively dividing squamous connective tissues that cushion the body from everyday stress and strains. Beneath this is the (3) hypodermis or subcutaneous layer, a tissue that anchors the skin to the flesh below and yet allows it some freedom of movement. Fats stored in the hypodermis insulates the body against cold and protects some organs, such as the uterus, against injury. The skin is the largest organ in the body, about 12-15% of body weight, with a surface area of 12 meters. The skin is continuous with, but structurally distinct from mucous membranes that line the mouth, anus, urethra, and vagina. Two distinct layers occur in the skin: the dermis and epidermis. The basic cell type of the epidermis is the keratinocyte, which contain keratin, a fibrous protein. Basal cells are the innermost layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, and are also in the inner layer of the epidermis. The dermis, or a layer beneath it, contains nerve endings, sensory receptors, capillaries, and elastic fibers. Skin structure varies considerably. Most of your skin is as thin as a paper towel, it thickens only on the soles of your feet, palms of the hand and in other regions subjected to pounding or abrasion. Some fishes have hard dermal scales, others have bare skin coated with slimy mucus. The scales, feathers, hair, beak, hooves, horns, claws, nails and quills of different vertebrates are all produced by cell differentiation in epidermal tissues. Each day, millions of dead cells at your skins surface are worn off by abrasion. Fortunately, you get new top layers of skin every thirty-five to forty-five days. In the process of keratinization, cells in mid-epidermal regions die and become dead bags with a lot of keratin ( a water insoluble protein ) inside. Rapid cell divisions below them push the bags toward the skin surface. The rapid divisions contribute to skins capacity to mend itself after abrasion, cuts, or burns. Keratinized cells at the surface form a barrier against dehydration, bacteria, and many toxic substances. Three pigments melanin, hemoglobin, and carotene contribute to skin color. Cells in deep epidermal layers produce melanin, a brownish-black pigment that protects cells against ultraviolet radiation. Suntanned skin has increased melanin concentrations in the epidermis.
Pale skin has very little melanin. Its pinkish cast results from hemoglobin, a pigment giving red blood cells their color. Red shows through thin-walled blood vessels and through the epidermis, both of which are transparent. Carotene, a yellow-orange pigment, occurs in the uppermost layers of the epidermis, and is abundant in the skin of most Asians. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It includes the skin and all structures derived from it or associated with it. The skin even maintains its shape in spite of repeated stretching and washings. Function of the Skin: 1. Covers and protects the body from mechanical injury infection (abrasion and puncture). Thick epidermal layers (callus) form at areas most often subjected to stress. Pigmentation in skin protects the inner tissues from ultraviolet rays from the Sun. 2. Protects the body from bacterial infection / even kills some bacteria on contact . 3. Protects the inner tissues from drying. Aided by the oil glands, the skin is nearly waterproof. Little water passes through it, except outward through the pores. 4. As sense organ, the skin serves as location of the nerve receptors that respond to touch, pressure, pain and temperature. 5. It serves as a supplementary excretory organ. The skin helps the kidney in the excretion of excess water, salts and some urea (body wastes) in the form of sweat. 6. Controls the loss of body heat through the evaporation of perspiration. At the body surface, as the sweat evaporates, heat is withdrawn from the outer tissues. In elephants, heat from arteries is released in the ear. 7. Site where vitamin D is made upon exposure to sunlight. 8. Produces skin secretions like pheromones (makes the animal, usually males or females to be sexually attractive / beautiful or influence the behavior of other members); also repugnant substances. 9. For some animals particularly amphibians (e.g. salamanders), the skin becomes an accessory breathing or respiratory apparatus. 10. Serve as camouflage (skin pigmentation) to hide from predators (e.g. octopus, chameleon and some tree frogs). 11. Conserve body heat through the use of hairs, feathers or thick layer of fat. 12. Serve as excretory system removes (through sweat) excess water, salt and waste from blood). 13. Erector pili muscles connected to hair shafts makes hair (or feathers in birds) stand up, creating goose bumps. For animals, it help in making some animals look bigger than actual. Parts of the Skin: 1. Epidermis - is the outermost layer, made up of many layers of dead, flattened epithelial cells on its outer part, and more active and larger germinative layer of cells in the inner part.
2. Dermis - "true skin" is the layer of the skin beneath the epidermis, made entirely of living cells. It is a thick active layer, compsed of tough, fibrous connective tissues supplied with many blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerve endings. 3. Subcutaneous tissue or Hypodermis - lies immediately below the dermis; composed of loose connective tissue and is the principal storage site of fat. It also contains tiny blood capillaries, and nerve endings. Terms to Remember: 1. Keratin - water-insoluble protein which compose the waxy secretion that covers the epidermis, making it water-resistant. 2. Melanin - the pigment which gives the skin its color. 3. Freckles - localized collection of pigment granules in deeper parts of the epidermis. 4. Burns - injured by heat, caustic chemicals or electricity a. First Degree - this usually reddens the skin; b. Second Degree - this usually reddens the skin and produce blisters; c. Third Degree - this usually destroys the skin, creating a wound. Other Diseases or Abnormalities in skin: Corns and calluses (Kalyo) thick epidermal in regions of the palm or sole of the feet in response to abrasion; Acne (Pimples) caused by bacterial infection of oil / sebaceous glands Dandruff (Balakubak) flaking out of epidermal cels in scalp, either due to allergy to shampoo or other reasons. Black Heads excessive accumulation of sebum, secreted by the sebaceous gland that are filling the pore of the skin. It is found on the nose. "An-An" (Tinea versicolor) a white patch discoloration of the skin caused by a fungus (yeast), Pityrosporon ovlae or Malassezia furfur and M. glubosa; which causes itchiness. Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea capitis) - caused by 2 organisms; (a) Microsporon canis from dogs and cats (Tagalog = "galis"); contagious, first start as a pimple-like growth, and spreads out and leaves scaly patches or red rings in skin, with boggy swellings and broken hairs; disease is worsened by scratching the itchy region with long fingernails, which causes wounds and irritation. Ringworm of Groin or Jockey Itch -- (Tagalog = "Halas") also from infected animals, humans or from soil; first appears as a ring-like lesions in groin area and gradually enlarges peripherally, ring usually contains fluids or pus, when healed, usually leaves ring-like patches on skin, usually itchy. Ringworm of the Foot (Athlete's foot) (Tagalog = Alipunga) scientifically called "Tinea pedis", which is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot caused the by Ringworm of the Hand (Tinea manus or manuum), fungal infection of the skin of the hand. It is typically more aggressive than tinea pedis but similar in look. Itching, burning, cracking, and scaling are observable and may be transmitted sexually or otherwise, whether or not symptoms are present.
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Boil (Tagalog: Pigsa), also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is most commonly caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue Skin cancer uncontrolled cell growth coming from the skin, usually Caucasians are the most susceptible, as the disease arise from too much exposure to UV radiation. Some types are deadly. Sun burn reddening of skin exposed to too much sunlight.
Pimples Allergies and Itching Dermatitis, Poison Ivy, Hives, Eczema, Itching, Anal Pruritus, Skin Irritation due to weather, Chapping, Frostbite, Chilblain, Chafing, Pricky Heat (Bungang Araw), Calluses and Corms Fungus infections -- Ringworm, Athlete's Foot Scabies Bacterial Infection -- Boils, Carbuncles, Impetigo Barber's itch - fungal infection of the scalp caused by ____. Also called dundruff? Erysipelas Viral Infection -- Cold sores, shingles, warts, Sebaceous cyst, Acne, Psoriasis Pigment Disorders and Birthmarks -- Freckles, Liverspots, Moles, Vitiligo, Birthmarks Cancer - uncontrolled cell division of skin cells. Athlete's foot, bedsores, birthmarks Burns Allulitis, chiken pox, exzema Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Epidermalysis Bullosa, Gangrene, Hidradenitis suppurativa, Hyperhidrosis Itchthyosis, Jocky Itch, Keratosis Pilaris, Leprosy, Penaphigus vulgaris, Pityriasis rosea, Pioson ivy, Oak, sumar, Porphyria, Psoriasis, Rosaceae, Scleroderma, Shingles, Skin Cancer, Vitiligo, Pseudofolliculitis, Barbae

The Skin Integument System

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NOTES IN BIOLOGY

Prepared by: N.R. Bautista

THE SKIN or INTEGUMENT SYSTEM

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